Get Out There and Learn: Events and Conferences for Small Businesses |  |
- Get Out There and Learn: Events and Conferences for Small Businesses
- FTC Report Shows Businesses How the Wind Blows On Consumer Privacy
- Reverse Innovation Gives a Glimpse Into the Future
| Get Out There and Learn: Events and Conferences for Small Businesses Posted: 31 Mar 2012 03:21 PM PDT Welcome to our guide of events for small business owners and entrepreneurs — this latest edition covers the Spring and into the Summer, 2012: * * * * *
Get ready to learn, network and set new ideas in motion! Join hundreds of small businesses from all around the world at InfusionCon 2012, Infusionsoft’s annual user conference, and experience three days of idea sharing and inspiration in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona on April 2-4.
Now that you are self-certified as a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), it is critical that you know the requirements unique to the WOSB Program for you to participate in, compete for and win federal contracts. This session takes you through the next steps after certification including the 4 required steps to compete for a WOSB set aside contract and how to grant the contracting officer access to your certification in the repository
The day’s events will kickoff with a business expo, during which Nevada’s Latino entrepreneurs will have a venue to exhibit their small businesses and engage in networking. The invitational will also feature an advocacy panel on the state and federal laws that impact small businesses and the ways in which Hispanic advocates can make a difference. Governor Brian Sandoval will deliver the keynote address, focusing on the state’s economic outlook.
Useful facts about the range and depth of SBA’s disaster assistance programs will be presented in this webinar, which is hosted by Agility Recovery Solutions and SBA. In addition to clarifying SBA’s partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the session will look at SBA’s outreach to local banks to expand the support network for business recovery after a disaster.
Business owners participating in this event will have the opportunity to learn, network and discuss business issues that top the small business agenda, including money, customers, people and growth. Educational sessions include: Financial Fitness, discussion led by Corelytics and Concur.
Where provocative thinkers collide and engage in meaningful, unexpected conversations. At this event, participants from various industries are charged with sharing smart techniques and exploring the next generation of innovative ideas that are shaping our world.
Vator is introducing Vator Spark, a series of master classes on innovative and disruptive topics relevant to succeeding as a technology entrepreneur. Vator Spark is a full-day, high-energy and accelerated class designed to give entrepreneurs the right knowledge platform, best practices and tools to succeed. The topic for the first Vator Spark is: "Got Game? How to Gamify Your Start-up".
On May 2-3, 2012, business leaders from across New York will gather at the world famous Jacob K. Javits Convention Center for the 7th Annual New York XPO for Business. This highly acclaimed business event is expected to draw upwards of 10,000 attendees and over 200 exhibitors as the largest business-to-business marketplace in the region. Education will be offered throughout the day and will include over 40 quality information sessions covering sales, marketing, advertising, business growth, best business practices, social media and much more! You’ll be able to identify the latest products and services to meet your competitive challenges and discover the keys to financial success and stability. Use promo code Smallbiz10 for $10 off any admission package
The Small Business Development Center and Procurement Technical Assistance Center at the University of South Florida make your pathway to winning government contracts easy by bringing buyers from federal, state and local government agencies and prime contractors all in one place. With more than 70 exhibitors, you'll meet the company that needs your products and services. Previous representatives include: U.S. Special Ops Command, Jabil, Lockheed Martin, MacDill Air Force Base, Department of Veteran Affairs, General Dynamics, Raytheon, Harris and City of Tampa Purchasing, and more.
The Content Marketing Strategies Conference (ContentMarketingNow.com) provides companies of any size a step-by-step systematic approach to developing a complete Content Marketing program that masters the content marketing life cycle: Strategize, Create, Curate, Manage, Distribute, and Analyze. Subject experts will address topics along the life cycle. Day one kicks-off with insight into how to get started within each step. Day two, through a series of case studies, digs deep into successful companies like Dell, HP, ServiceMax, Kelly Services, SAS and more who have created successful content marketing programs. By the end of the conference, you will walk away with a complete understanding of how to get started in content marketing or improve upon your existing initiatives. SmallBizTechnology.com readers receive $50 off with promo code SMBIZTECH
Since 2008, Internet Week has taken place all over the city, thanks to our many partners hosting diverse events in different locations.The result is a critical mass of web-focused events that raises the profile of NYC’s industry as a whole, as well as the partners who participate. Just like in 2010 and 2011, Internet Week NY HQ will be home to stages, classrooms, lounges, installations, and more. With 20,000 more square feet of Digital Playground as well as Conference Theater—Internet Week HQ at 82 Mercer is poised to be the best yet.
Deep dives. Conceptual discussions. Practical application. Whether you're a seasoned content vet or new to the game, Confab has something for you. You're sure to walk away with not only new insights and discoveries, but also the ability to actually DO something with them. A mixed agenda format will offer attendees a variety of ways to engage with and employ the innovative ideas that come from the scintillating content and unexpected environment. The event content is aimed toward anyone who thinks of themselves as an innovative business leader including but not limited to the fields of technology, design, marketing, entertainment, venture capitalism, energy, infrastructure, non-profits and brand executives.
America’s Small Business Summit 2012
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's annual event — America's Small Business Summit — unites small business owners, managers, and entrepreneurs from across the country to learn, network, and discuss common legislative and management concerns. Past speakers include former President George W. Bush, General Stanley McChrystal, Small Business Editor of the WSJ Colleen DeBaise, and many more. Attendees help influence our nation's economic and political agenda by advocating for pro-business policies through the Rally on the Hill portion of the program. The event will take place at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., on May 21-23, 2012. For more information and important dates, check the Summit website, www.uschambersummit.com.
The conference is designed for marketers, advertisers and public relations professionals looking to conquer the social media space, boost online engagement, increase social market share and avoid wasteful social media campaigns. The three track levels include the introductory-level Boot Camp Track, intermediate-level Channels Track and the Advanced Track for cutting-edge marketers. In addition, all attendees have the opportunity to learn from top-ranked attorney Jamie Nafziger, partner at Dorsey and Whitney, on how to navigate the tricky, unchartered waters of social during the Social Media & The Law Round Table.
The Annual Kentucky Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference (8th KIEC) will bring together distinguished speakers, tech-based economic development practitioners, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, students and postdoctoral fellows. The conference will focus on growing local initiatives powered by science and engineering talent.
The 2012 CT Business Expo offers free educational seminars hosted by industry elite speakers and trainers. All of the educational seminars will be held in custom built classrooms on the show floor. Four educational tracks include Sales, Marketing, Technology and Management.
Designed by Veteran small business owners for Veteran small business owners, VETS2012 brings government agencies, industry leaders and Veteran entrepreneurs together in a small, intimate forum to discuss the questions you need answered.
The Department of Veterans Affairs is hosting the National Veteran Small Business Conference and Expo. As the largest nationwide conference of its kind, this event focuses on helping Veteran-owned businesses maximize opportunities in the federal marketplace. Join nearly 6,000 participants in Detroit for the opportunity to:
The New York Enterprise Report Small Business Awards is the annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of the 500,000+ small businesses throughout the tri-state area. Now in its 7th year, the Awards gala attracts more than 400 business owners and executives and is often referred to as "the networking event of the year." Don't miss the chance to do business with the "who's who" of the New York small business community.
To find more small business events, contests and awards, visit the Small Business Events Calendar. If you are putting on a small business event or contest, and want to get the word out, please submit it through our Events & Contests Submission Form (it’s free). Only events of interest to small business people, freelancers and entrepreneurs will be included. Brought to you as a community service by Small Business Trends and Smallbiztechnology.com. From Small Business Trends |
| FTC Report Shows Businesses How the Wind Blows On Consumer Privacy Posted: 31 Mar 2012 09:30 AM PDT
Protecting Consumer Privacy in an Era of Rapid Change (PDF) is a 73-page report that creates a "privacy framework" that shifts the privacy protection burden away from individual consumers and on to businesses. FTC Report Covers 3 Areas The report is complex, but outlines 3 areas of best practices for businesses to follow: Privacy by design – According to the FTC, firms should build privacy protection into every aspect of their business operations. This includes limiting the amount of data collected from consumers, maintaining data security, making sure data is accurate, and having sound retention practices. Simplified consumer choice – Companies should give consumers more choice about keeping their data private, and make it easy to choose to keep data private, including a Do Not Track mechanism to give consumers control over information collected about them as they surf the web and use mobile devices. The FTC report lauds browser vendors Microsoft, Mozilla Firefox and Apple for equipping their latest browsers with features that allow users to say "hands-off" to trackers. The report also commended the advertising industry for taking action, noting the Digital Advertising Alliance, a self-regulating body for online behavioral advertisers. You've probably seen the triangular-shaped icons on some ads (see above). Clicking the icon gets you to information about how the ad reached you. More importantly, it gives you a way to opt-out of behavioral advertising that tracks your interests and attempts to predict your preferences and show relevant ads. Greater transparency – The report calls for companies to make their information collection and use practices transparent. Included is a recommendation that firms provide consumers with "reasonable access" to the data collected about them. Privacy notices should be shorter, clearer and standardized so that consumers can understand them better. What the FTC Framework Applies To The FTC's framework applies to online and offline data, both. It applies to data that is "reasonably linkable" to a specific consumer, computer or device. It applies to businesses of all sizes that handle consumer data. But it does have what might be considered a small business exception: businesses that collect non-sensitive information from fewer than 5,000 consumers each year, and do not sell the information to third-party marketers. For example, the privacy framework would not apply to independent retailers that use emails to keep fewer than 5,000 customers informed about special sales. Although the FTC's report does not have the power of law, it is a good collection of common-sense privacy protection practices along with evolving industry practices. And for businesses, it gives you a sense of which way the winds are blowing around consumer privacy issues. From Small Business Trends |
| Reverse Innovation Gives a Glimpse Into the Future Posted: 31 Mar 2012 05:30 AM PDT
So why should I read this book and why should YOU read this book? Read Reverse Innovation for the Insights on Trends One big reason for digging into this rather academic and intellectual book is to get a glimpse into the trends that will be hitting your small business in the next few years. When I put my prejudice against multi-nationals to the side, I begin to see that Reverse Innovation is really a bellwether of things to come. First, let me explain what the term "reverse innovation" is. In the past, big companies would do their innovating here in the United States and then, after making some adjustments, launch that innovation to the world. Reverse innovation takes that model and turns it upside down. The authors, Vijay Govindarajan and Chris Trimble did some research and found that by innovating abroad, you actually increase your chances of success worldwide. How the Book and the Concept Got Their Start In 2008, Jeffrey Immelt, then CEO of GE chose Govindarajan to advise them on innovation. This should tell you something if you know that GE only likes to be in the #1 slot of any market. Given that commitment, it's no surprise that they are always on the lookout for new ways to do this. As Govindarajan set out to transform GE's strategies, he interviewed the thought leaders insight some of the best brands in the world which include: Pepsico, Logitech and P&G. What he learned was that technology was not the primary stumbling block in developing innovations, rather it was a function of mindset and organizational structure. What his research showed was that companies can earn the same or better return on their investments if they launch their innovations in low cost countries such as China and India rather than in highost countries such as the US. The Three Fears That Keep Us From Taking Advantage of Reverse Innovation The book discusses three fears that have kept big brands from practicing reverse innovation:
When you read the book, you'll see the answers to all of these questions as they pertain to large corporations and brands. But the lesson for small business is that it's our own mindset about where innovation should happen that holds small business back from really competing in a global marketplace. In other words, US businesses suffer from a touch of xenophobia when it comes to innovation. And I can see why. We could easily let go of our manufacturing because it was "manual labor" but to send our innovations and ideas abroad could mean literally losing our competitive advantage. Reverse Innovation will ease your fears about that. Govindarajan encourages businesses to open up to new possibilities of innovation that can transform ideas that require too much money into completely feasible products and services. Who Should Read Reverse Innovation? This book is an ideal read for anyone who likes reading about big global companies and what they are doing to keep their business and their brands alive. (Visit Govandarajan's blog where he writes about his research and reverse innovation in general.) As a small business owner (no matter the size of your business), you'll want to check into this book to see how you might be able to apply these principles to your own innovation plans. Overall this is a serious book. It's not entertaining, or engaging – it's informative and educational. If you are involved with customers or companies who have multiple locations and technical facilities that span the globe, you will certainly want to read this and see if you can apply some of these concepts. Reverse Innovation, may not be at the top of your reading list today – but you can expect to see the trends and applications of this work become more the norm in the next few years. The businesses who are familiar with this process will find themselves better prepared for the future. From Small Business Trends |
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) this week released its report on consumer privacy for businesses. The report does not have the force of law, but calls for businesses to voluntarily adopt best practices around consumer privacy.
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